The final list of the 2018 State Representative and Republican Delegate Candidate Filings from the city of Manchester are now available under the Filings section of our Voter Registration and Elections page.
PUBLIC NOTICE - ORDINANCES ADOPTED
Please be advised that the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Manchester, NH adopted of the following ordinances at a meeting held on June 5, 2018:
"Inserting Section 35.0381 Winter Weather Reserve Account to the Code of Ordinances of the City of Manchester."
“Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Manchester by creating § 35.0351 Severance Reserve Account.”
“Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Manchester by amending § 35.035 Risk Retention Reserve Accounts and creating § 35.0351 Severance Reserve Account.”
“Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Manchester by amending § 35.032 Revenue Stabilization Reserve Account and § 35.035 Risk Retention Reserve Accounts and creating § 35.0351 Severance Reserve Account.”
"Amending Section 33.026 (Airport Director & Assistant Airport Director (Operations and Facilities)) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Manchester."
"Amending Section 33.026 (Process Control Technician) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Manchester."
Board of Mayor and Aldermen
s/Heather Freeman
Assistant City Clerk
PUBLIC NOTICE - TRAFFIC REGULATIONS ADOPTED
The following regulations governing standing, stopping and parking, as approved by the Committee on Public Safety, Health, & Traffic, of the City of Manchester, was adopted at a meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen held on June 5, 2018, as follows:
NO PARKING ANYTIME:
Milford Street, south side, from Donald Street to a point 145 feet west
Log Street, south side, from S Main Street to a point 100 feet east
Alderman Barry
RESCIND 2 HOUR PARKING 8:00 AM-6:00 PM:
Blodget Street, south side, from a point 128 feet east of Elm Street to a point 18 feet easterly (ORD9242)
Blodget Street, south side, from Elm Street to a point 112 feet easterly (ORD9241)
Alderman Baines
2 HOUR PARKING 8:00 AM-6:00 PM:
Blodget Street, south side, from Elm Street to a point 92 feet easterly
Alderman Baines
HANDICAP PARKING – 2 HOUR LIMIT 8:00 AM-6:00 PM:
Blodget Street, south side, from a point 92 feet east of Elm Street to a point 20 feet easterly
Blodget Street, south side, from a point 128 feet east of Elm Street to a point 18 feet easterly
Alderman Baines
STOP SIGN
On William Street at Varney Street, SEC
Alderman Barry
RESCIND NO PARKING- PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF ONLY (DURING SCHOOL HOURS) 7:30 AM-8:30 AM AND 2:30 PM-3:30 PM
Coolidge Avenue, from a point 30 feet north of Kelley Street to a point 100 feet north, west side (ORD 10369)
Alderman Gamache
NO PARKING- PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF ONLY (DURING SCHOOL HOURS)
7:30 AM-8:30 AM AND 2:30 PM-3:30 PM
Coolidge Avenue, from a point 30 feet north of Kelley Street to a point 160 feet north, west side
Alderman Gamache
Board of Mayor and Aldermen
s/Heather Freeman
Assistant City Clerk
The 2018 City of Manchester State Representative and Republican Delegate Candidate Filings are now available.
FUN IN THE SUN 2018
It is that time of year again, Fun in the Sun will be returning this summer. Fun in the Sun is a FREE summer camp for Manchester residents that are ages 6-12 only.
Signups are on JULY 3rd at 8:00 AM at the site you want your child to attend. The three sites are the JFK Coliseum, Livingston Park, and Piscataquog River Park.
Activities include but are not limited to:
Swimming Lessons
Playground Games
Field Trips ( 11 and 12 year olds)
Tennis
Free Swim
Reading Lessons
Arts and Crafts
For more info click here or call Erik at 624-6444
The Manchester City Library and West Manchester Branch Library are going to be busy this summer! Learn about our summer reading programs for children and teens (and everything else we have going on) in the latest issue of MCL Notes!
See you at the library!
Hello newsletter readers!
It is sooo busy here in Parks, Recreation & Cemeteries with so much going on it makes our heads spin! Attached is the newsletter for June which is full of information about what has happening and what is coming up. As always, we encourage you to get out and recreate in our parks and join our programs.
June Newsletter
Thanks for the support we receive every day!
Manchester, NH: City - Advisory
The Manchester Police Department would like to inform you of two events this Saturday that could cause increased traffic congestion and possible delays. The first event is the American Heart Association Heart/Stroke Walk, Saturday, June 2nd @ 10:00 AM. The walk will start at Derryfield Park. The w...
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Time is running out to license your dog without late fees and civil fines. On June 29th, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen will commit the warrant to the Chief of Police listing the names of all dog owners in Manchester that still have unlicensed dogs. All dog licenses expire annually on April 30th. This is a third reminder for dog owners who will be subject to late fees and a state mandated $25 civil forfeiture fine (NHRSA 466:13-14) for any remaining unlicensed dogs.
Dog Licensing has been made more convenient by our simple online payment program if you prefer renewing your license from home rather than coming to City Hall.
Please contact the office at 603-624-6455 if you no longer live in Manchester, no longer have your dog, or just need additional questions answered by our friendly staff.
Delivered on May 26th, 2018
Commissioning of the USS Manchester
New Hampshire State Port Authority, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Good morning.
It’s an honor and a privilege to be here with all of you.
On behalf of the entire city of Manchester, I want to congratulate Commander Bassett and her crew on the commissioning of the USS Manchester. It’s such an honor to have a ship named after the Queen City, especially twice!
The city of Manchester was built by hard-working and resilient citizens, dedicated to working together for the greater good. And today, the USS Manchester and her crew embody that same spirit.
In so many ways, this great ship pays tribute to the Queen City’s storied history. The ship’s seal highlights our industrious work ethic – from the golden cogwheel that represents our city’s industrial history to the white lines that represent the Merrimack River to the motto, Labor Vincit, or “work conquers,” which is also the ship's motto. Granite State Manufacturing, a 4th generation manufacturing company, located on Manchester’s west side, built many components used on the ship. And our own Manchester Water Works harvested white oak from the shores of Lake Massabesic and helped mill the trees into lumber which is used in the ship in various ways including the dashboard, a bench, and window sills.
The Queen City has an extraordinary legacy of military service and honoring those who’ve served our country. And I’m pleased to say there are at least three men in attendance today who were on the original USS Manchester, which was commissioned in 1946. Moe Trembley, a Manchester resident, Jim Perry and William Mauser, it’s an honor to have you here.
Years from now, when the next chapter of Manchester’s military history is written, the new USS Manchester, LCS14, will be a proud part of that history. To her crews, and to all the men and women in uniform – thank you for your dedication and commitment to our country. Thank you for your service. Godspeed.
Manchester, NH: City - Advisory
May 28th Memorial Day Parade on Elm Street from Webster to Lake Ave from 2 PM - 4 PM today. Elm Street and cross streets will be closed. Amoskeag and Bridge St bridges may be closed down during the parade.
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SUBJECT: WATER MAIN FLUSHING PROGRAM
On Monday, May 28th, 2018, the Manchester Water Works will begin an estimated five-week long program to flush 500 miles of water mains within the Manchester Water Works’ water distribution system.
The program will be conducted by Manchester Water Works’ employees between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, in order to minimize the inconvenience to customers. Guy Chabot, Manchester Water Works Deputy Director, indicated that this is a biennial program to help improve water quality to our customers.
The flushing program will generally progress starting at the Water Treatment Plant in east Manchester, westerly across the city and portions of the surrounding towns which Manchester Water Works serves. Heavy commercial users will be notified by the Manchester Water Works prior to work being done in their immediate area. Chabot asked that residential customers with special needs, such as in-house dialysis equipment, call the department to make their locations known so that they may also be notified in advance.
Customers may experience a slight discoloration of water during the flushing program due to the increased velocity of the water in the pipelines. Chabot indicated that he regrets that the program may inconvenience some customers, but that it is a necessary part of the departments’ preventive maintenance program. Customers experiencing prolonged or excessive discoloration are asked to call the department after allowing ten to fifteen minutes to flush their own service lines.
Any customers with questions regarding the program are also asked to contact the Manchester Water Works at 603-792-2807.
The State Primary Election filing period begins on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, and runs through Friday, June 15, 2018. Any resident who would like to register to vote or voter who would like to update their registration information (name, address, party, etc.) is encouraged to complete a voter registration form at the Office of the City Clerk no later than 8:00 p.m. on June 5th.
While voters may continue to register to vote or make name/address changes to their information on file, no party changes may be accepted by the clerk after June 5, 2018 through Election Day on September 11, 2018. For additional information, please visit the City Clerk website at www.manchesternh.gov/elections or call 624-6455.
The Office of the City Clerk remains open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and for extended hours on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. for your convenience.
The Manchester Parks, Recreation, and Cemeteries Division is growing their youth tennis program by joining Net Generation. Led by an approved Net Generation coach, the program will focus on developing the skills to serve, rally, and score - so it is perfect for first time tennis players. Once the skills are there, the kids will be playing fun organized team matches.
This program will use modified tennis balls and court sizes so players can learn and play the game without the stress of leaving their comfort zone.
All players receive a USTA Junior Team Tennis t-shirt and an age appropriate racquet and ball.
Every Tuesday from 7/17 to 8/21
Grades 1-2 4:30 to 5:30
Grades 3-5 5:30 to 6:30
Grades 6-8 6:30 to 7:30
All lessons take place at the Manchester High School West Tennis Courts
$60 for all 6 weeks.
For more info on how to sign up click here or email Erik Bukowski at ebukowski@manchesternh.gov
Mayor Joyce Craig represented the City of Manchester at the Mayors’ Institute on Opioids hosted by the National League of Cities (NLC), leading a five-member delegation representing both city and state efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.
“I was honored to represent Manchester at the National Mayors’ Institute on Opioids,” said Mayor Craig. “The lessons learned from this institute will help guide our city forward as we work to combat the opioid epidemic. Leveraging existing resources, identifying sustainable funding efforts and utilizing data, will enable our city to deliver the best possible care to those who need it.”
The Mayors’ Institute on Opioids, which took place in Boston, provided an opportunity for local leaders to engage in practical, solutions-oriented discussions and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. The immersive three-day event will be followed by 12 months of ongoing expert assistance tailored to each participating city’s needs, with the work building on local efforts already underway.
Participating mayors brought teams that included county and state officials. Mayor Craig was joined at the Institute by David Mara, Governor’s Advisor on Addiction and Behavioral Health, Chief Dan Goonan, Manchester Fire Department, Tim Soucy, Manchester Public Health Director and Jenny O’Higgins, Continuum of Care Facilitator at Makin’ It Happen.
The five other cities participating in the Mayors’ Institute included Huntington, West Virginia; Knoxville, Tennessee; Madison, Wisconsin; New Bedford, Massachusetts; and Tacoma, Washington.
At the intensive three-day meeting, the group looked closely at their respective strengths and weaknesses and discussed key areas ranging from prevention, treatment and recovery to effective harm reduction efforts.
“Our country has struggled with how to respond to major substance abuse and mental health issues in the recent past, but we have an opportunity to learn from mistakes, and ultimately prevent and treat individuals suffering from addiction,” said NLC President and CEO Clarence E. Anthony. “We must continue to understand what’s working, what’s not and build stronger paths forward. Our only chance at confronting and overcoming the opioid epidemic is to work together.”
Going forward, NLC will share best practices from the Mayors’ Institute, as well as additional lessons learned from the cities during the year of technical assistance that follows. The goal over the coming months is to create a ripple effect and provide information and insights that help every city leader who is grappling with this crisis.
For more information on NLC’s longstanding work on the opioid crisis, including recommendations from our Opioid Task Force, click here.
City, community partners help Manchester residents ride safe, affordable bicycles
QC Bike Collective’s mission is simple – to help Manchester area residents ride safe, affordable bikes and have the opportunity to fix them. The City of Manchester is doing its part to make this a reality.
QC Bike provides both the tools and the expertise to assist residents in repairing and acquiring bicycles at minimal cost. Through committed partnerships, a number of Manchester City departments are doing their part to advance the cause. The departments of Health, Public Works, Police, and Planning & Community Development are all working to support QC Bike.
“Though a partnership with the city, QC Bike is able to reach residents across Manchester and provide them with low cost, safe bicycles,” says Mayor Joyce Craig. “It’s a great program, and I’m proud of the robust public-private partnership that has been established.”
“We are grateful that the City of Manchester recognizes the need for a community bike shop and each department has developed creative ways to support our efforts,” said Abby Easterly, co-founder of QC Bike. “It can be tough to pitch new ideas and having the City working with us is a huge boost.”
Through the Earn-A-Bike program, organized by the Health Department, QC Bike provides 150+ students at two Manchester elementary schools with the opportunity to earn a refurbished bike, helmet, lock, and light set as a reward for their successful demonstration of leadership skills learned through school-based leadership development programs. Both the bike packages and the leadership programs are funded by the Granite United Way as part of the Manchester Community Schools Project.
“Over the past two years, we have been fortunate to partner with QC Bike to provide over 300 refurbished bike packages to fourth and fifth grade students at Beech Street and Gossler Park Elementary Schools” said Jaime Hoebeke, Division Head of Chronic Disease Prevention and Neighborhood Health at the Health Department. “This program would not be possible without QC Bike and we are very proud of this partnership as it truly exemplifies the power of collaboration.”
The Department of Public Works sets aside bicycles brought to the Drop Off Facility that would otherwise be destined for the scrap pile. “Reusing and recycling bicycles is something we’ve talked about doing for a while, and we are very excited to be partnering with such a great organization,” says Environmental Programs Manager Mark Gomez. “It was a shame to see perfectly good bicycles going to waste, especially when there’s such a need in the community for low-cost bikes and parts.” The Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries Division also recently announced a partnership to bring “Open Air Bike Repair” to Fun in the Sun, a day camp for Manchester residents aged six through 12 this summer. “We want to help QC Bike reach the kids where they are, and during the summer many of them are at Fun In The Sun.” said Janet Horvath, Recreation and Enterprise Manager for the city.
In similar fashion, the Manchester Police Department now donates all found or confiscated bicycles to QC Bike instead of sending them to auction out of state. “The police department is very proud of our contribution to such an impactful community initiative which focuses on children and young adults,” added Chief Willard, Manchester Chief of Police.
Planning and Community Development is supporting QC Bike’s Open Shop program with $7,500 in Community Improvement Program Funds. This educational, hands-on repair/training time helps teach individuals how to repair and care for their own bike, with help from QC Bike staff and volunteers.
Interested in helping? Visit qcbike.org to learn how you can volunteer your time, donate a bike, or make a financial contribution.
The National League of Cities invites Mayor Craig to participate in national training
Today, Mayor Joyce Craig announced the City of Manchester has been selected to take part in the National League of Cities Mayors’ Institute on Opioids: Aligning City, County and State Resources to Address the Epidemic.
The National League of Cities chose six mayors to come together for a solutions-oriented, peer-to-peer learning and capacity building experience that explores ways cities can partner with county and state officials to address the opioid epidemic.
“I’m grateful Manchester was chosen to participate in the National League of Cities Mayors’ Institute on Opioids,” said Mayor Joyce Craig. “This institute, along with the 12-month technical assistance effort that follows, will enable our city to better leverage existing resources and use data to identify the treatment and recovery gaps that exist in our community. I look forward working with and learning from other mayors about strategies to address and mitigate this epidemic.”
The National League of Cities chose Manchester’s application to the institute over many other U.S. cities, stating, “we are impressed by the city’s commitment to advancing practical, comprehensive solutions to address the opioid epidemic in your community.”
The Mayors’ Institute will take place in Boston, MA from May 9-10, 2018 with a special capacity building session and site visits for city teams May 10-11, 2018. Other participating cities are Knoxville, Tenn., Madison, Wis., Huntington, W.Va., Tacoma, Wash., and New Bedford, Mass.
Delivered on Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Event, Derryfield Country Club
Mayor Craig's State of the City Remarks
Thank you.
Thank you, Mike, for your introduction and for all the work you and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce do for our city. You and your members have been incredibly gracious and supportive since I took office. Thank you all for your continued commitment to making Manchester a place where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Thank you all for being here this morning. Finally, thank you to the staff of Derryfield for taking good care of us this morning.
I’ve been in office a short time — just 12 weeks. In that time, we’ve worked to fulfill promises we made to the people of Manchester while beginning to implement long-term solutions to our greatest challenges. I’m proud of what we’ve already accomplished, and I’m confident that working together we will position Manchester for a better future.
Over the last three months, we’ve worked to help build a culture of collaboration and openness. On the day of my inauguration, I met with city department heads and let them know I’ll always be open to their ideas. As we enter a difficult budget season, I’ve asked them to bring forward any and every idea – new or old – that can help us improve city services while making smarter choices with our tax dollars.
In addition to changing the tone at City Hall, I promised to change the way we do business. I believe the mayor of Manchester should lead from our community not from behind her desk. Earlier this month, I announced my first schedule of community office hours. We’ve already held two of these meetings where we’ve heard firsthand about the ideas and issues residents are facing. There are many more events scheduled in wards across our city, including on nights and weekends.
I’ve accompanied our police officers on ride-alongs and an early morning drug raid, watched our firefighters as they battled a three-alarm fire and saved someone who had overdosed, and rode along with a plow driver during one of the seemingly endless snow storms we’ve experienced this winter. I’ve seen firsthand the outstanding work of our hardworking and dedicated employees and I want to thank them for the work they do.
I’ve visited businesses across Manchester to discuss how City Hall can help promote job growth and business expansion. I’ve talked to executives at Pillpack, volunteers at the YWCA and doctors at CMC and Elliot Hospital. I visited Eversource’s operations center to learn how they prepare for and respond to storms. While touring ARMI, Hoyle Tanner, and Velcro USA, I saw firsthand the commitment our business community has to our city and to our future. I want you—Manchester’s business leaders—to know City Hall is here to help. I want to work with you to ensure that you can start a business here, grow a business here, and succeed here.
I’ve worked to make sure the voices of Manchester are heard in Concord and in Washington. In January, we brought together our state representatives, State Senators and city department heads to discuss legislation that would affect Manchester. I’ve worked with the Governor, our federal delegation and testified at the State House on matters that directly impact our city. And just this week, I spoke directly to the President about federal funding for the opioid epidemic.
The desire to improve our city is palpable and the sense of togetherness is inspiring. For many, Manchester is home. For others, it’s where we make a living. We all care about this city.
And we all hurt when we see our friends, colleagues and neighbors suffering from substance use disorder. We share the same heartbreak when we learn of another life lost to the drug epidemic. Across the state—in a time of great need—addiction treatment centers are closing due to lack of funding.
In Manchester, the primary treatment provider for Safe Station, Serenity Place, closed in January. It came as a shock to our community and our state, and since then, others have followed.
These losses forced us to evaluate the effectiveness of funding and programs.
Today, the city is working in harmony with a number of organizations to help strengthen and improve services provided by our Safe Station program.
Families in Transition, led by Maureen Beauregard, picked up the pieces and outlined a sustainable path forward. The Farnum Center, led by Cheryl Wilkie, stepped up to provide a stabilization unit for Safe Station, on top of existing recovery and support services. Granite Pathways is providing screenings to help us identify the services people need — something that wasn’t happening before. The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester is utilizing its mobile crisis unit to help people across the city — a service that wasn’t being widely utilized before. Manchester Healthcare for the Homeless is providing physicals free of charge — a program that wasn’t a part of this network before.
And the additional support provided by Makin’ it Happen, Granite United Way, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Catholic Medical Center, Elliot Health Systems and Dartmouth-Hitchcock is critical to our success.
Our community-centric model is already producing results. When I became Mayor on January 2nd, it took around 2-3 weeks to get Safe Station patients into treatment. Now, we can get people into treatment in 2-3 days.
To ensure lasting success, I’ve formed the Mayor’s Council on Addiction, Treatment and Recovery. Together, we will develop long-term, evidence-based, sustainable solutions for those suffering from substance use disorder.
None of the progress we’ve made addressing the opioid epidemic would be possible without the outstanding work of our police, fire and health departments.
Our police department continues to employ modern approaches to fighting crime, utilizing predictive policing methods, hot spot patrols, and strategically deploying resources. Their efforts have led to a three-year downward trend in the city’s crime rate.
While reducing crime, our police department is also focusing on improving our community by aiding children in crisis. Chief Willard and the Manchester Police department have created the first ever Adverse Childhood Experience Response Team (ACERT), where children who are exposed to trauma in the home get services in real time. Comprised of a police officer, a child advocate and a counselor, the response team acts as a safe place for children to receive help.
Since the beginning of the opioid epidemic, the Manchester Fire Department has been on the front lines. Our firefighters have taken on massive responsibility regarding the opioid epidemic in a time of great need. Their dedication to Safe Station is truly admirable.
I think it’s important for us all to recognize the mental and emotional toll this work takes on our first responders. I want to thank Chief Goonan and Chief Willard and all of our first responders who risk their lives every day to keep our community safe.
In addition to police and fire, our Public Health Department, led by Tim Soucy, plays an essential role in improving our community. Through the Neighborhood Health Improvement Strategy (NHIS), they’re helping to provide educational opportunities for residents of all ages, connecting them to physical and mental health services, social services, education, parent workshops, health screenings, and community events. We’re optimistic we’ve seen short term successes that are contributing to the reduction in childhood poverty.
Rightfully, our Health Department is nationally recognized for its work, and I’m thankful they are a leading partner in our efforts to improve the public health of Manchester.
A healthy and thriving community requires a strong public school system. My husband and I both attended Manchester public schools, and it’s where we chose to send our three children. Two have graduated from Central, and our youngest is an 8th grader at Hillside.
There has never been a more pivotal time to impact the direction of Manchester’s public schools than right now. To improve our school district, there’s a lot we need to do. Our focus must be on improving student achievement in all grades. We need a district-wide literacy program and resources to provide intervention when a student is in need of extra help. We need a standard math program and options for professional development in the elementary and middle schools. We need curriculum alignment across all grade levels so there’s a seamless transition from elementary school to middle school to high school. We need to work together to close the gap so children are prepared when they start kindergarten. We need to strengthen our schools to be competitive and innovative by making sure we have the best educational opportunities available.
In the coming weeks, Dr. Vargas and I will announce a unique opportunity that promises to have a positive, long-term effect on our district. This community-centric effort will help us realize the full potential of our schools and our students, and it will set us on a realistic course for strengthening our public schools.
This will allow us to build upon what we already do well. Collectively our high schools offer over 17 advanced placement classes. In our district, high school students have the opportunity to earn college credits and pursue opportunities for internships and real-world learning. And we are looking at ways to expand Manchester School of Technology due to increasing student interest.
Memorial High School’s FIRST Robotics Team 238 won The Granite State District Robotics Competition, and they’re currently ranked 4th in New England. West Junior Julia Robitaille was named the Division II Champion in the 3,000-meter run, the 600-meter run and is the New England Champion in the 1-mile run. Her twin sister Corinne Robitaille was named Division II champion in the 300-meter dash. Central’s Roric Cunningham was accepted as a cellist to Youth Orchestra of the United States. And Memorial senior Madison Elgner is one of only six students in New Hampshire to be awarded a National Gold Key in the Scholastic Art Awards competition.
I know the people in this room know Manchester has amazing students and understand the incredible value of education and workforce development. Which is why our city will soon look to you to help us implement the changes necessary to strengthen our school district.
Manchester’s businesses are thriving – a testament to the work you’ve all done in our community. I know the ideas that will drive our economic future will not all come from City Hall, but from listening to you, the business community.
That is why today, I’m honored to announce that I will establish the Manchester Business Council to create a plan for short and long term economic growth. Co-chaired by Mike Skelton, this council will bring together city officials, municipal staff and business leaders to create a more business-friendly environment that will aid business attraction and retention and expand the municipal tax base. We will address issues like the need for expanded parking options in our downtown and how to support statewide efforts that will benefit Manchester.
In addition, our Planning Board will soon undergo an effort to solicit input from community leaders, businesses, cultural communities, residents and more to update the City Master Plan. Your participation is critical to a successful process, which will result in a document that combines the rich history of our great city with a vision of its future. Manchester is only as successful as the support we receive and give throughout our community. And it is our businesses that will help tremendously in leading that charge.
While we confront our challenges, we cannot allow our city to be defined by our struggles.
Moving forward, we must support bold and transformative projects. I will continue to advocate for expanded commuter rail. We will soon issue an RFQ for renewable energy services in our city. I remain committed to making our underutilized riverwalk a destination. And we will celebrate our city’s rich history and diversity through public art and community spaces.
While we’ve made great strides in the last 78 days, much work remains ahead. I am heartened by the outpouring of support by the people in this room and beyond who want to give their time, talent and resources to improve our city.
I am optimistic about the state of our city.
I am honored to stand before you today, and look forward to helping create positive change for Manchester.
Thank you.
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Following the President's visit to Manchester this afternoon, Mayor Craig released the following statement.
"?This afternoon, I joined Governor Sununu in greeting the President on the tarmac at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. I used this opportunity to urge the President to deliver much-needed funding for prevention, treatment and recovery services for substance use disorder and to prioritize funding for New Hampshire, which has been among the hardest hit by the opioid epidemic.
I then accompanied the Governor and the President to Manchester Central Fire Station. I’m glad the President had the opportunity to see first-hand the good work our first responders are doing and the challenges they face serving on the front line of the opioid epidemic.
We know the majority of people seeking services for substance use disorder in Manchester are from outside of the city. Because this is a statewide and national problem, our taxpayers, service providers and our first responders cannot continue to shoulder this burden without increased support from the White House.
As I told the President today, it’s up to all of us to rise above politics and work together to bring relief to families being devastated by the opioid epidemic."
Mayor to begin visiting every ward to keep lines of communication open
Manchester, N.H. — Today, Mayor Joyce Craig announced she will host a series of community office hours throughout the city beginning on March 10.
“Manchester needs to make city government more transparent and accessible to residents,” said Mayor Craig. “By holding community office hours in every ward in our city, I look forward to meeting with residents and listening to their ideas and concerns. I want to end the notion that who you know and how much money you have determines your access to City Hall.”
Mayor Craig will host community office hours throughout the year, in various locations throughout the city. In addition, Mayor Craig will also attend Alderman Baines’ Ward 3 Business and Community Meetings on Wednesday, March 7 at the Palace Theater. Community office hour dates will continue to be scheduled throughout the year. While dates and times may be subject to change, the current schedule is:
Saturday, March 10, 8:00 a.m.
The Local Moose Cafe
124 Queen City Avenue
Monday, March 19, 12:00 p.m.
Puritan Backroom
245 Hooksett Road
Saturday March 24, 11:00 a.m.
Currier Museum, Winter Garden Cafe
150 Ash Street
Friday, March 30, 7:00 a.m.
Francouer’s Cafe
488 S Main Street
Wednesday, April 4, 5:00 p.m.
Manchester PAL Officer Briggs Center
409 Beech Street
Wednesday, April 18, 11:30 a.m.
Jerome's Deli
393 Bridge Street
Saturday, April 21, 10:00 a.m.
Moe Joe’s Family Restaurant
2175 Candia Road
Tuesday, April 24, 6:00 p.m.
Manchester Fire Department Station 7
679 Somerville Street
Monday, April 30, 4:30 p.m.
Manchester Library West Branch
76 Main Street
The Manchester City Library and West Manchester Branch Library have a lot to tell you about! Learn about our plans to renovate the children's room, this year's One Book, One City program, our youth photo exhibit, programs for all ages, and more in the latest issue of MCL Notes!
Happy Spring!
Mayor Joyce Craig will spend a night outside to raise awareness and money for homeless youth in New Hampshire.
Craig is participating in Child and Family Services (CFS) of New Hampshire’s annual SleepOut, an event dedicated to raising community awareness, funds and aid with a goal of ending youth homelessness in New Hampshire. The event will take place on March 23 at Stanton Plaza in front of the Downtown Hotel in Manchester.
“I’m pleased to participate in Child and Family Services’ SleepOut this year,” said Mayor Craig. “It’s heartbreaking to know young people are experiencing homelessness in our city. The more awareness and funds we can bring to this issue, the closer we as community can come to ending youth homelessness.”
The Mayor will also be joined by her entire office at the SleepOut, including Chief of Staff Ryan Mahoney, Policy and Strategic Outreach Director Lauren Smith and Community Outreach Director Donald Stokes.
On average, Child and Family Services assists and works to stabilize the lives of more than 1,500 runaway, homeless and at-risk youth in Manchester, Concord, Littleton and the Seacoast every year. CFS provides survival aid, fulfilling basic needs such as food and clothing, and connects youth with shelter and medical care. In addition, CFS provides mental health and substance abuse counseling, and helps youth with educational advocacy, job search, and housing.
Learn more about Child and Family Services SleepOut event
Make a donation to Mayor Craig’s team. All proceeds to benefit CFS.
If you'd like to apply for lead abatement funds, submit your application soon - we are at the end of our 3-year program period.
If you rent to lower income residents, we want to hear from you! Landlords who have received notice of a child's elevated blood lead level, or a state order to remove lead, receive the highest priority.
We award up to $11,000/unit, to a maximum of $80,000 per project. Awards are 0% interest loans forgiven after 3 years of certifiying that you rent to low-income tenants. Owner's provide a minimum 10% cash match to participate.
If you call Planning to inquire, please ask for Josh: 603-624-6450. Our applications are available at www.leadsafemanchester.com .
Together we can create healthy homes for children in Manchester. We look forward to hearing from you.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MANCHESTER TEAMS WITH TREATMENT PROVIDERS FOR RENEWED EFFORT TO RESPOND TO ADDICTION EPIDEMIC
New Partnerships to Replace Serenity Place Programs; Safe Station to Continue for Manchester; Crisis Hotline Use Encouraged Statewide
Manchester, NH – Citing lessons learned from the closing of the non-profit substance use treatment center known as Serenity Place, Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, emergency responders and a team of providers, including Families in Transition, the Farnum Center and Granite Pathways, have developed a new strategy for responding to the opioid crisis in New Hampshire. In an effort to preserve Safe Station as a critical entry point for care, the Mayor and providers have developed a new network to respond to those in need.
“The experience of Serenity Place showed us we need a better network of providers to stand ready to answer calls for help, no one entity can do this work alone. We need a streamlined program for our city, combined with a parallel effort to respond to the statewide needs of those suffering from substance use disorders,” said Mayor Joyce Craig. “Over half of the people seeking treatment in Manchester came to Safe Station from different communities around the state and region. Our plan works to respond to their needs without overwhelming the resources of Manchester’s providers.”
“Safe Station will continue to remain an entry way for people who don’t know where to go and haven’t sought help. It’s the first step,” added Manchester Fire Chief Dan Goonan. “We want people who are familiar with treatment to return to their original provider, which will offer more advanced and case-specific care to respond to their immediate needs. It’s really a matter of connecting the right providers with the right client. We will continue to help all who ask for it, but our system will be more robust.”
The Manchester Fire Department will work with local organizations to continue operating as a 24-hour access point for those seeking help. Firefighters will then direct individuals to Granite Pathways, who will conduct a screening to determine what services are needed. They will then connect with area hospitals or treatment facilities to determine what level of care is needed and available.
“This approach allows us to choose between more services than were previously aligned and available,” explains Maureen Beauregard, President of Families in Transition, “We need to direct people to the specific services they need. By engaging more providers, we have more opportunities to help people right away.”
“Farnum Center is ready to support Safe Station and Granite Pathways to utilize all available resources and find the right services for those in need. Farnum has increased their Open Access capacity in the Outpatient Department at 700 Lake Ave. Anyone can walk in and meet with a counselor and be accessed for the correct level of care. Staff will then work with clients to get them into a program appropriate for their needs,” explains Dr. Cheryl Wilkie, Senior Vice President of Substance Abuse Services for Farnum Center. “Collaboration and communication are the key to successfully responding to the needs of our citizens.”
While residents can still access treatment providers through Safe Station, families throughout the state are encouraged to call the Statewide Addiction Crisis Hotline (1-844-711-HELP) for care close to home.
This 24-hour hotline will work to help anyone in New Hampshire access inpatient or outpatient substance use treatment as soon as possible. Accessing care through this hotline will be an effective way to ensure people get into the treatment they need in their community rather than overwhelming the resources of one community by traveling to Manchester and accessing Safe Station.
Meantime, those seeking help who have entered treatment in the past will be encouraged to return to their most recent provider to continue services. “We made a promise to our citizens, that if they need help, we will be there to answer the call,” says Goonan. “Safe Station has taken in thousands of people and will continue to help those in need through local partnerships and support from the Mayor’s office.”
Mayor Craig also believes this system will allow the city’s leaders to measure outcomes and reinforce those programs that are most successful. “The goal is to help everyone who needs it while providing the best possible care available in any community. I am thankful to all of the community members who have stepped up to help Manchester keep the Safe Station program intact. Together, I believe this new approach will more successfully help those in need find the correct services.”
Granite Pathways / Regional Access Point
8:30 am – 11 pm, Monday-Friday
11:00 am – 11:00 pm, Saturday-Sunday
Phone: 603-931-3700
Homeless Assistance Hotline
877-606-5173
Statewide Addiction Crisis Hotline
1-844-711-HELP
Greater Manchester Resource Guide
www.communitycompassgmr.org
New Hampshire Treatment Locator
www.nhtreatment.org
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